From Community College to Columbia Law School: What I Wish I Knew Before I Started Law School

Before You Take the LSAT

(IG: beforeyoutaketheLSAT; time stamps below!) For the first time, Doreen — along with special guest host Shannon (her sister) — shares insights into her path going from community college (Santa Monica College) to Columbia Law. The interview covers topics including her experience improving from a 148 diagnostic score (well below 50th percentile) to a 174 (99th percentile), her experiences in undergrad, and the advice she wish she had known before she started law school.

Here are the timestamps for the questions asked:

+ 1:00 Can you tell us a bit about your background?

+ 1:26 How were you able to navigate through school with English being your second language?

+ 2:13 Can you tell us a bit about your experience at community college, at Santa Monica College? [choosing a major]

+ 3:04 How were you able to complete UCLA in 3 years? Did you plan on doing that?

+ 3:35 When you were majoring in psychology, what was your game plan? Did you think you would go to grad school for psychology?

+ 4:24 How did you decide that you wanted to go to law school?

+ 5:54 How did you decide to minor in Spanish?

+ 7:05 How did you get started in terms of beginning to study for the LSAT?

+ 8:45 When you first started studying for the LSAT, were you just studying or were you working as well? What do you recommend for others who are studying?

+ 9:58 So you don't get the score that you wanted the first time you took the LSAT, what happens next?

+ 11:19 Tell us about the last time you take the LSAT, where you get the final score which was a 174?

+ 12:41 You almost decided not to register for the LSAT that last time, can you tell us that story?

+ 14:08 Finding out that final LSAT score

+ 16:07 What were some of the strategies you used to study for the LSAT?

+ 17:33 When you see that LSAT score, what does that mean for you? [I also talk about how I chose my target score]

+ 19:29 Hearing back from law schools

+ 20:22 Why Columbia?

+ 21:04 What's your favorite part of going to Columbia?

+ 21:59 What do you wish you would have known before you started at Columbia?

+ 23:04 How can someone better prepare themselves before going to law school?

+ 24:02 What advice would you give in general for getting involved in law school?

+ 25:17 You've take advantage of the extracurriculars at Columbia, can you talk a bit about your involvements?

+ 26:17 What are you most looking forward to?

+ 27:26 Do you want to talk about your experience being a legal extern at Mastercard's HQ? [I also talk about the ways in which law schools differ, and how that's important in deciding which law school you want to attend.]

+ 28:56 What are you most proud of so far?

+ 29:31 Why did you create "Before You Take the LSAT"?

+ 30:42 What has been your experience since you started "Before You Take the LSAT"?

+ 31:48 You've been able to interview some really cool people, do you want to talk about any of those interviews?

+ 33:48 What I wish I would have known [applying to law school, studying for the LSAT]

+ 35:28 How do you keep going even when you want to give up (on the LSAT?) [mindset on the LSAT]

Hope you enjoy and please do not hesitate to reach out via email ([email protected]) or on Instagram @Before You Take the LSAT with any questions, future videos you would like to see on this channel, or feedback!